Athens Crime Blotter: A Home Invasion, Drug Arrests And More Burglaries

A home invasion occurred Thursday, July 7, at 105 Citation Court. Three victims reported that three masked men forcibly entered the residence with guns demanding money. When one of the victims said they had no money, one of the suspects struck a victim with a gun on the hand. Another victim was struck on the head before the intruders left. 

Members of the Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 347 Sunset Drive on July 6, seizing a quantity of hydrocodone and amphetamine pills, marijuana plants, a handgun and ammunition.  Derrick Orlando Henderson, 51, of Evans Street, was arrested and charged with possession of a Schedule II drug with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule III drug with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. James Stephens, 70, of Helen Street, was also arrested and charged with possession of a Schedule III drug.

Officers responded to a burglary in progress at a Lexington Road residence July 6. The resident and another man discovered a truck occupied by a man and woman backed up to the front door. The man pulled his vehicle directly in front of the truck to prevent it from leaving and then went to the driver’s side, reached in, and attempted to turn off the engine. The man inside the truck then struck him several times on the arm with a hammer. Both suspects exited, with the woman running east on Lexington Road and the man running south through a wooded area. Officers searched for the suspects but were unable to locate them. A search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed video games and a PlayStation.  

Officers responded to a vehicle fire on Creek Stone Drive July 7.  A witness heard four to six gunshots. The witness said he saw a white or grey Ford Crown Victoria with no hubcaps pull away and drive toward Commerce Road. The witness said he then saw a vehicle on fire. Officers made contact with the resident of the home where the fire occurred, who said she had heard the gunshots and then looked out and saw the fire. She reported that her mother-in-law owned the vehicle. Investigation revealed a bullet hole in the front wall of the house. No one was injured.

Officers responded to a call at an Eastwood Court apartment July 8 and saw a vehicle occupied by three men parked in front of the building. Officers said one of the men looked as though he was attempting to hide something in the vehicle. After an investigation, Terry Slack, 45 of Colbert, Ga., was arrested and charged with obstructing or hindering a law enforcement officer and possession of drug-related objects.

A Cooper Road residence was entered on July 7 and a television valued at $225 was removed.

A residence on Atlanta Highway was entered through a side door and items reported missing include a laptop computer, washer and dryer, furniture and other household items and jewelry. Total value is $1,050.

A Winterville Road residence was entered on July 7 and a Sony flat screen TV was removed valued at $700.

A car dealership in the 2910 block of Atlanta Highway reported that between July 5 and 7 three vehicles were taken from the dealership. The vehicles include; two, 2011 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, one red and one white, and a 2011 white Toyota Sequoia.

A Florida Avenue residence was burglarized July 6 and about $71 was stolen from a purse. 

Air conditioner units valued at $8,000 were stolen from W.A. Bragg and Co., 535 Olympic Drive, some time between July 5 and 6.